1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description

Tanker truck wreck involving discharge of gasoline and diesel fuel to navigable water body, James River in Richmond, Va.

1.1.2.1 Location

 Bells Rd. and Commerce Rd, Richmond, Va

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

 On 08/23/16 the Commonwealth of Virginia DEM notified the NRC at 1224hrs of the transportation accident involving a tanker truck carrying 8500gals of both gasoline and diesel fuel.  The tanker truck is owned by Woodfin LLC.  The initial description of 2000gals discharged to the macadam and into storm drains was reported.   FOSC from EPA Region III was dispatched on 8/23/16 to begin preliminary assessment and to coordinate with the commonwealth Department of Environmental Quality and other local and federal agencies.  The tanker truck rolled over at an intersection of interstate 95/Bells Rd and Commerce Rd.  The majority of the product flowed directly into storm water system and subsequently to an unnamed creek which feeds directly into the James River.  The James River itself was directly impacted by release from this incident. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Woodfin LLC (RP) and their insurance company contracted with Hepaco for cleanup services and  and Heti Services for consulting.  The RP updated the total discharge amount to be 8500gallons of a mixture of gasoline and diesel.  The following are metrics as of end of day on 8/26/16:

- On August 23, 2016, 679 gallons of virgin product was recovered from the interior of the overturned tanker truck.

-  On August 23, 2016, 845 gallons of product and water was recovered by employing a vacuum truck equipped with basket skimmer from flushing storm drains along the south side of the entrance ramp to I-95. HEPACO could not provide the product/water ratio for this load. (HETI assumed 15% product = 125 gal.)

On August 24, 2016, 2,846 gallons of product and water mixture were recovered by a vacuum truck equipped with a basket skimmer from an outfall located off of the east side of Deep Terminal Road Terminal Road.  The outfall discharges to an unnamed tributary of the James River, which ultimately discharges to the James River approximately 500 feet from the outfall.  HEPACO could not provide the product/water ratio of this load. (HETI assumed 15% product = 427 gal.)

On August 25 and 26, 2016, 400 gallons of product and water were recovered by a drum skimmer system deployed at the convergence of the unnamed tributary and the James River.

 In summary a total of 8,399 gallons of gasoline/diesel mixture (product) and dissolved phase contaminated water (water) have been recovered as of August 26, 2016.  Based on known/measured and estimated product volumes, HETI estimates that approximately 4,831 gallons of free product has been recovered.  The tanker was reportedly carrying 8,500 gallons.

2.1.1 Narrative

Unified Command was established on 08/25/16.  UC consists of the RP, DEQ and EPA. Support agencies include DOI, VaDOT and Richmond Fire Dept.  Ops briefings were conducted twice daily at 1000hrs and 1400hrs. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

The RP established abatement and recovery efforts in the unnamed creek at an accessable location some 500 ft from the James River.  A drum skimmer was employed at the recovery location.  Layered boom was positioned at three outfalls in the James River.  All three outfalls were discharging product.  UC provided oversight and direction for all site related activities including health and safety, air monitoring and heat stress as temperatures routinely reached the upper 90s. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

A Legal Notice to Suspected Discharger Letter was hand delivered to the RP, Woodfin LLC on August 25. 

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

See above